Does the 63-year-old alliance still matter today? We asked politicians, scholars, and other observers from both sides of the Atlantic to weigh in.

By Allison Good<p>
Allison Good is an editorial researcher at Foreign Policy.
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May 14, 2012

In advance of the May 20-21 summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Chicago, Foreign Policy and the Atlantic Council asked dozens of experts about the role of the alliance today. Heads of state, ministers of defense and foreign affairs, intelligence officers, and current and former members of U.S. Congress were among the respondents who answered our call. Although none of them thought NATO should cease to exist or that the United States would be better off leaving the alliance, they were less certain about whether NATO can adapt to a changing geopolitical and military landscape — and just who will foot the bill for future operations.

They rated Greece, currently struggling to repay its crushing debt load, the top candidate to be kicked out of the alliance, exhibited deep divides on how to handle a troubled relationship with Russia, predicted that NATO would be unable to pull off another Libya-style intervention three years from now, and overwhelmingly viewed the Afghan mission as a failure.

Unless otherwise noted, figures indicate number of responses.

1. Should NATO exist?

Yes: 57

“If it did not exist, we would have to invent it.” “But the Europeans must get their act together if they are to be worthy partners in the alliance.” “But in a redefined form, with broader alliances and links to regional groups.”

No: 0

2. If so, what should be its primary purpose?

Collective defense of Europe: 14

Out-of-area military operations: 2

Policy coordination: 1

Global peacekeeping: 0

Keeping Russia in check: 0

Combination: 31

“Both A and B. The former as the core task, the latter as the useful add-on.”

Other: 13

“All of the above, plus crisis response.” “Promotion of a common political agenda.” “All of the above, plus coordination of intelligence regarding global fundamentalism/terrorism.”

3. In 1993, Sen. Richard Lugar argued that NATO has to “go out of area or out of business.” Since then, NATO forces have deployed in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Gulf of Aden, and Libya. Do you think NATO should continue to support deployable forces for operations outside Europe and the United States?

Yes: 56

“But with strict limits and, ideally, as part of a U.N. mission.” “Only as there is a clear relevance for European security.” “Only in case such deployment contributes to strengthening of members’ security. No role as a global policeman.” “In a globalizing world there is no more ‘out-of-area.’ The world is our area now.”

No: 3

“Only on a very highly selective, case-by-case basis; as a rule, no.”

Jason Reed – Pool/Getty Images

4. True or false: The United States would be better off if it left NATO.

False: 57

“A stable Europe is important for the U.S., if for no other reason than economics.” “Does anyone remember that Article 5 was invoked only once in the institution’s history? Namely, after an attack against the United States?” “But it would be better off if it limited its involvement to Article 5 and left Article 4 to the allies.”

True: 0

5. If you had to kick one country out of NATO, which one would it be?

Greece: 18

“For its behavior toward Macedonia and Turkey.” “Due to its boundlessly selfish egotism and disruptive tactics.”

Hungary: 5

Turkey: 4

Iceland: 3

Other: Albania, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg (1 vote each)

None: 22

“Each member counts politically, militarily, and intellectually. NATO should be (carefully and gradually) expanding, not shrinking.”

6. If you had to admit one country to NATO, which one would it be?

Sweden: 13

“It is a producer, not a consumer, of security for Europe.”

Macedonia: 6

Australia: 5

Georgia: 5

Ukraine: 5

Israel: 4

Finland: 3

Serbia: 3

Montenegro: 2

Other: Bosnia, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Russia (1 vote each)

None: 7

JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images

7. Should Russia be allowed to join NATO?

Yes: 10

“Yes, in principle, if its foreign policy changes.” “Yes. At least it should never be excluded.”

No: 29

“Allowing Russia to join NATO implies willingness/commitment from Russia’s part to do so, which is obviously not the case.” “They continue to define their security in opposition to NATO.”

Maybe, but not now: 19

“Not until it is a democracy. Then we can talk.” “If it meets the criteria, including democracy and commitment to human rights.” “Sure, if it meets NATO requirements. That would essentially mean that it would no longer be Russia.” “Only in very different circumstances from today.”

8. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = least relevant, 10 = most relevant), rate NATO’s relevance to U.S. security. On the same scale, rate NATO’s relevance to European security.

Average score: U.S.: 6.5 Europe: 8.5

9. True or false: NATO is an essential part of my country’s national security. (Please also write the name of your country in this space.)

True: 50

United States/Canada: 24 Europe: 26

False: 8

United States: 5 Europe: 3

YANA LAPIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images

10. It has been more than 20 years since the Soviet Union was dissolved and more than 10 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Do you think NATO members are safer in 2012 than they were in 1991?

Yes: 41

“At least from the threat of major war, they are much safer.” “The quality of internal security and awareness of potential threats has risen since then.”

No: 13

“Weaker militarily and economically with more threats.” “Threats have evolved but not necessarily our capability to meet them.”

About the same: 4

“Safer in the sense that the real danger of a sudden and massive Soviet attack against Europe, including the use of nuclear weapons, has receded and is currently very, very low. Less safe in the sense that the host of new global ‘low-key’ dangers is pressing against us all the time, with the possibility of sudden, cataclysmic black swans ever present.”

11. Rank the following NATO military campaigns by how successful they have been, with 1 indicating the most successful and 6 the least.

“There is a large possibility that it will, but it will land in a fundamentally different operational landscape and will take years to rebuild its previous operational capabilities.”

False: 26

“At least on any meaningful scale.”

Unsure: 9

“False, if the current strategy is properly executed; true, if we rush for the exits.” “Have they ever really left?”

BERTRAND LANGLOIS/AFP/Getty Images

16. Should NATO intervene in Syria?

Yes: 11

“With the Arab League.” “With a no-fly zone.”

No: 36

“It could have, weeks ago, with goals similar to Libya. The issue now goes well beyond the question of a Syrian civil war.” “Are you kidding? NATO does not have the resources: no will, limited skill, no tools. Quite apart from the question of what our interests are.”

Maybe: 10

“If necessary and only with a U.N. mandate.” “Only to protect Turkey.”

17. Where will the next large-scale NATO operation take place?

Middle East: 29

North Africa: 14

“Likely piracy-related rather than Arab Awakening-related.”

Europe: 4

“Balkan tensions are not over.”

Southern Africa: 2

Arctic: 1

“The Arctic is heating up economically and politically, and key NATO nations have vital interests to protect there and the military resources to do it with.”

Latin America: 1

Asia-Pacific: 0

None of the above: 4

“There will be no major operation in the foreseeable future.” “Most probably NATO’s next battle will not take place in a geographical location but in cyberspace.”

I don’t know: 3

18. Which of the following NATO missions would you approve? (Please select any that apply.)

Protecting shipping through the Persian Gulf: 51

Assisting Libyan government with civil-military reforms: 49

Reducing pirate bases in Somalia: 41

Peacekeeping force to support Israel/Palestine peace agreement: 31

Preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons: 24

Deploying a peacemaking force in Syria: 22

Blocking large-scale migration across NATO borders: 12

LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/GettyImages

19. What are the five biggest challenges facing the transatlantic alliance? Please rank from among the following, with 1 indicating the biggest challenge.

Average rank:

Economic crisis: 1.84 (45 votes)

Nationalism/internal divisions: 2.39 (25 votes)

Afghanistan: 2.71 (31 votes)

Terrorism: 3.23 (35 votes)

Cyber conflict: 3.27 (35 votes)

Syria: 3.31 (15 votes)

Ballistic missile proliferation: 3.44 (29 votes)

Russia: 3.64 (28 votes)

Climate change/energy: 3.79 (19 votes)

Conventional attack: 4.33 (3 votes)

Other: 12 votes

20. In June 2011, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates described NATO’s future as “dim if not dismal,” charging that NATO nations were “apparently unwilling to devote the necessary resources or make the necessary changes to be serious and capable partners in their own defense.” Do you agree or disagree with this assessment?

Agree: 40

“He is spot on.” “The economic crisis might be a temporary excuse for doing less, but in the long run European states must contribute more to collective defense.” “Largely true, but it has always been thus.”

Disagree: 12

“There is always a crisis in NATO, and future capabilities will depend on operations.” “He’s much too dour about the alliance.”

Somewhat/unsure: 5

“He is right in blaming the Europeans for their lackluster performance. But this will not mean the end of NATO. Sheer necessity will keep NATO alive.” “Partially true: Common values and interests go far beyond military expenditure.”

21. True or false: The United States has too many military personnel in Europe.

True: 22

“It is not the numbers that count, but the commitment to support European NATO members and the ability to do so fast if needed. That does not require a lot of boots on the ground in peacetime, but it does require a commitment on both sides of the Atlantic.”

False: 32

“It is appropriate to fulfill the assigned tasks.”

ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images

22. By 2020, the U.S. force presence in Europe will amount to:

80,000 personnel (current level): 0

68,000 personnel (Obama plan): 10

50,000 personnel: 17

40,000 personnel: 10

Fewer than 40,000 personnel: 22

23. True or false: European member states should devote more funding to NATO.

True: 48

“But unlikely to happen due to resource scarcity.”

False: 10

“They should, however, spend their defense money better.”

24. True or false: NATO should have both defensive and offensive cyber-capabilities.

Become the new way NATO does business by “building capabilities together”: 15

Produce innovation but not until at least five years from now: 11

Provide an excuse for allies to make further defense cuts: 8

Other: 8

“Have a very limited impact on NATO’s future, if at all.” “Increase the risk of member states not having sufficient capabilities of self-help in case of an attack.” “Depends entirely on implementation.”

26. True or false: Five years from now, France will still be part of NATO’s integrated military command.

True: 54

False: 2

Unsure: 2

“This depends a lot on the French economy. If it is not revived, there will be more and more nationalist pressure from within France. For a weak president, splitting from NATO would be a cheap way to get a few points at home.”

27. In 2020, German foreign policy will be defined primarily by:

German leadership of the European Union: 28

Berlin’s preference for the status quo: 14

Germany’s relationship with Russia: 5

The Franco-German relationship: 4

The transatlantic relationship: 3

Other: 4

“Germany’s relationship with China, Russia, and other BRICS.” “Investments abroad to deal with an aging and less productive population.”

MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GettyImages

28. If Turkey has not become a member of the European Union five years from now, its orientation will be:

Pursuing a revival of Ottoman power: 21

More closely aligned with its Muslim neighbors: 13

Still closely aligned with its Western allies: 11

Inwardly focused due to domestic strife: 2

Other: 11

“Turkey will maintain alignment with the West but also pursue closer relations with the East. It does not see them as incompatible.” “More engaged not just with Muslim neighbors but also with Russia.”

29. In order of importance, NATO’s top three priorities for the Chicago summit should be: